The Dutch have less trust in politicians but more in each other

Public faith in parliament and politicians has plunged to an all-time low but trust in the police, health service and legal system remains close to 80%, according to new research by national statistics agency CBS.

The survey suggests 25% of the over-15s had trust in parliament in the final quarter of last year and just 21% had confidence in politicians. The figure is the lowest since the research was first carried out in 2012.

In the first quarter of 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic started, trust in parliamentary institutions was 44% and in politicians 31%.

By the second quarter, trust in the system had grown, with 44% having confidence in MPs and ministers and 58% in parliament. Since then, however, there has been a steady decline.

People do, however, have more trust in their peers. Some 66% now have confidence in their fellow citizens, compared with 58% in 2012. Trust is highest – 78% – in the health service, followed by 77% in the police and legal system. Trust in the church, however, is just 30%.